Week 35 - 2026Published 30 Aug 2026

Arab AI Leadership and Digital Security Define LEAP 2026 Agenda

Tech giants converge in Riyadh next week to showcase mature AI operations: NTT DATA will present sovereign AI infrastructure, while HUMAIN and Microsoft integrate Arabic language models into global platforms. Concurrently, cybersecurity emerges as non-negotiable priority, with Tenable expanding coverage across major AI platforms. This convergence of local innovation and security governance signals sector maturity in the region.

The week in AI

Arab

Arab AI Scene

NTT DATA to showcase intelligent AI ecosystems at LEAP 2026

26 Aug 202614 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Arab AI Scene

26 Aug 202614 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

NTT DATA to showcase intelligent AI ecosystems at LEAP 2026

NTT DATA announced its participation at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh from August 31 to September 3, showcasing AI and digital infrastructure solutions. The offerings will include sovereign AI, agentic AI, and connected infrastructure to support Saudi Arabia's digital transformation ambitions. Under the theme "Cities that Think: How AI is Reshaping the Future of Urban Life," NTT DATA will demonstrate how AI, data, and digital platforms can transform connected cities into intelligent ecosystems. These solutions aim to enhance outcomes for citizens, businesses, and communities.

Arab

Arab AI Scene

Logitech brings the future of AI-powered workplaces to LEAP 2026

24 Aug 202612 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Arab AI Scene

24 Aug 202612 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Logitech brings the future of AI-powered workplaces to LEAP 2026

Logitech announced its participation at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from August 31 to September 3, 2026. The company will focus on AI-Enabled Collaboration, showcasing products designed to enhance productivity and meet future workplace needs. Murad Ali, Head of Middle East & Central Asia at Logitech, stated that the company is proud to be part of LEAP, showcasing technologies that support Saudi Vision 2030 goals. The Rally AI Camera Pro will be launched, featuring a dual-lens system and advanced AI capabilities.

Arab

Arab AI Scene

HUMAIN Arabic models coming to Microsoft’s AI platforms

26 Aug 202614 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Arab AI Scene

26 Aug 202614 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

HUMAIN Arabic models coming to Microsoft’s AI platforms

Saudi Arabia's national AI company HUMAIN has announced the first milestone in its strategic partnership with Microsoft, aimed at integrating HUMAIN's ALLaM Arabic language models into Microsoft Foundry and the M365 Copilot ecosystems. This collaboration pairs HUMAIN's AI experts with Microsoft's Forward Deployed Engineers to provide hands-on support for organizations transitioning AI projects from experimentation to production.

Global

Business

Tenable advances exposure management with coverage across every major AI platform and developer tool

24 Aug 202612 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Business

24 Aug 202612 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Tenable advances exposure management with coverage across every major AI platform and developer tool

Tenable Holdings, led by Eric Doerr, has announced enhanced AI security features within the Tenable One platform. The new capabilities include support for Google Gemini and expanded coverage for major LLMs like OpenAI and Microsoft Copilot, providing a comprehensive view of AI-related risks. Tenable detected 457 million AI-related security issues across over 7,000 organizations, highlighting a significant security gap. The Tenable One platform helps security teams discover AI assets and assess risks through the Tenable Exposure Graph, enhancing proactive measures against threats.

Global

Governance

They Dedicated Their Lives to Teaching. Then the Deepfakes Started

24 Aug 202612 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Governance

24 Aug 202612 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

They Dedicated Their Lives to Teaching. Then the Deepfakes Started

Four teachers shared their experiences with sexualized deepfake content created by AI, as reported by WIRED. They expressed frustration over the lack of accountability for the harassment they faced. This situation highlights the urgent need for measures to protect both teachers and students from this growing phenomenon. The rise of deepfake content in schools is creating an unsafe environment for educators. The targeted teachers voiced their concerns about the ineffective mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable. Educational administrations and relevant authorities must develop strategies to tackle these challenges effectively.

Global

Models

Stop Touching Your Keyboard. Use This AI-Powered Microphone Instead

27 Aug 202615 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Models

27 Aug 202615 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Stop Touching Your Keyboard. Use This AI-Powered Microphone Instead

The Relay Q is set to launch next year, representing the latest effort to redefine voice as a seamless method for human-computer interaction. This technology aims to enhance user experience by providing a more fluid and effective voice interaction, reflecting the growing trend of utilizing voice in technology. This development is significant in the AI field, as it could lead to substantial improvements in how individuals interact with digital systems, enhancing work efficiency and communication.

Global

Business

DeepSeek nears pre-IPO funding round as 2027 market debut takes shape: sources

26 Aug 202614 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

Business

26 Aug 202614 Rabiʻ I 1448 AH

DeepSeek nears pre-IPO funding round as 2027 market debut takes shape: sources

DeepSeek is nearing the closure of a new funding round valued at approximately 500 billion yuan (US$74 billion) before investment, as the Chinese AI start-up moves closer to a potential listing on Shanghai's Star Market. The company aimed to raise around 50 billion yuan in this round, expected to close before the end of August, according to sources familiar with the matter. The list of investors includes existing stakeholders participating in this round. This funding round is a strategic step to enhance DeepSeek's market position, potentially facilitating its stock market listing and strengthening its competitive edge in the AI sector.